Foster stared down at his sister. Please say nothing. He and Felicity hadn’t talked about this since the evening a decade ago, when he confessed he was in love with Zoe.
“She’s sixteen,” Felicity had reminded him. “You’re eighteen. It could never work. You’re going to college in New York. She’s still in high school, for goodness’ sake.”
“I know, but I need to tell her how I feel before I leave. I can’t not say something,” Foster had insisted. Youthful optimism. He’d been so convinced that he could wait for Zoe and they’d make a life together. Felicity had shot down that idealistic notion in one sentence.
“You need to forget her and move on with your life.”
Foster hadn’t liked it, but he’d taken the advice. He’d moved to New York without looking back. Moved on. Learned that life went smoother without getting caught up in feelings. He realized he didn’t have much to offer Zoe—he didn’t have the same words to express love that others seemed to and she deserved a life of passion. He could offer her security and affection, but that hadn’t been enough for his past relationships.
He couldn’t help it if no woman he met came anywhere close to Zoe. That didn’t mean he’d done the wrong thing. It just meant he hadn’t met the right woman yet that would understand him.
Now the woman in question stood in front of him, more beautiful than ever. Her head cocked as she regarded him. Felicity looked back and forth between them. What he wouldn’t do to avoid meddling sisters.
A young woman poked her head into the tent. “Excuse me, are you open yet?”
“Yes!” Foster said at the same time as Zoe. She looked at him, questions in her eyes. It was her tent, after all. Foster stepped back and gestured to Zoe. The woman smiled and made her way to the small table in the back.
“Would you like a reading?” Zoe asked. The woman nodded, and Zoe offered her a seat before sitting herself and shuffling her cards.
Foster glanced at his sister. “I’m in charge of the sales while Zoe is occupied,” he explained.
“I see,” Felicity replied, arching a brow.
“I’m helping a friend,” Foster insisted.
Felicity put her hands up in defeat. “You’re an adult. It’s your life. I’m just expressing curiosity. You’re only here for a few more weeks, remember.”
“I’m well aware.”
Felicity nodded. “Good. I need to head out to check on the rest of the vendors. I’ll see you later.” She narrowed her eyes at him in warning. Keep his distance from Zoe. He got the message loud and clear.
Foster knew he had to return to New York before New Year’s. That had been the plan all along. Was still the plan. Felicity was correct to remind him of that fact. He needed to keep that in mind. He pushed his restlessness aside to focus on the present moment. He was an expert at avoiding uncomfortable feelings.
Whatever he felt for Zoe was in the past, and it needed to stay that way. There was no room in his present for Zoe.
* * *
As Zoe flipped cards, she glanced at Foster. He was holding her favorite book, reading the back cover copy. His hair flopped into his eyes, and he brushed it away. Zoe imagined her fingers repeating the action. Threading through the silky strands. Foster turned to look at her, and she glanced away quickly. Hopefully, he didn’t notice her gaze.
She turned her attention back to her customer and assessed the cards in front of her. A love reading. The customer had asked for guidance in her love life and the cards delivered. Most people asked Zoe about love. Finding a connection with others was a universal desire.
What would Foster ask about? Zoe doubted it was love. From what Zach has said, Foster was perpetually single. As was she. Foster would probably ask for a career reading. How long until he made CEO? Yes, he’d ask for specific details and deadlines.
Zoe shook her head. Tarot may be magical, but it wasn’t precise. Except for the wolf tattoo. That prediction had been extremely precise. And it came true. Except Foster couldn’t be her soul mate. How could an uptight businessman like him and a free-spirited witch like herself ever make a love match?
“Is it good news?” her customer asked. Her voice trembled with nerves.
Zoe offered a reassuring smile. “It’s very encouraging,” she replied. She tapped her finger on the Two of Cups card. “This card, in combination with this one,” she said as she pointed to the Nine of Cups, “is very encouraging for a happy relationship.”
For the next twenty minutes, Zoe brought her focus to her reading. At the end of the time, she looked up to see her tent filled with customers. And Foster in the middle of it all, device in hand, busily ringing up orders. He smiled at each customer as he tucked their purchases into her signature lavender bags imprinted with her logo. The buzz of excitement was palpable. Zoe was sure that half the customers lingered simply to be near Foster. Many recognized him, and her Winter Solstice sale was quickly becoming the Foster Dupont homecoming party. She didn’t mind. It was bringing in more business than she’d ever had at a fair. Maybe she needed to hire him for all her events.
Except he was leaving. He’d only be around less than two weeks before his return to New York. As much as it tempted her, she couldn’t get attached to his presence. Because just like a decade ago, he’d leave her behind without a second glance. Her heart twinged at the memory of watching him walk away from his goodbye party. He’d hugged everyone, except Zoe. Then turned and walked to his car. Not a single backward glance.
For a moment, Zoe was sixteen again. Grief settled in her chest for that girl who had hoped her crush would see her, just for a moment, and want her. That wasn’t to be.
Instead, Zoe was at Chateau Felicity Vineyards, at the Winter Solstice Festival, watching Foster at a distance, knowing that all she’d ever have from him was this—observing at a distance.
She went through the motions of finishing the transaction with her customer, sending the young woman off with a hopeful smile. Zoe found her way to Foster’s side to check in on new appointments that were scheduled for her readings.
When she approached, Foster turned his charming smile on her. “It’s been busy,” he reported, stating the obvious.
“It has been. I think it’s the lure of the elusive Foster Dupont,” she teased.
Foster laughed. “I will admit I’ve run into more people I know here than I expected. But everyone has bought something, so I think it’s you.” He winked at her and Zoe’s stomach fluttered. How did this man have such an effect on her still? Because you haven’t gotten over him.
“Do I have any more appointments?”
“Yes, quite a few.” Foster pulled up a calendar app on her tablet. “You’re booked through noon. Then I gave you an hour's lunch. There are more appointments in the afternoon. I have a feeling you’ll be booked solid by the time we break for lunch.”
“Lunch? It’s just the two of us. We can’t exactly take a break.” That was the whole reason Foster was here. She couldn’t manage the sales and the readings at the same time.
“I texted Francesca. She’s going to cover for us while we walk around and eat lunch.”
What a thoughtful gesture. Foster had arranged for his youngest sister to help so that they could take a break and eat. Zoe’s heart melted more towards this handsome man.
“A lunch break? I’ve never had a proper break at a festival before. This will be a first.” The thought of being able to browse the festival for a while and enjoy it as a guest sent Zoe’s spirit soaring.
“Of course we get a break. Union rules,” Foster joked. “I spotted a vendor selling Mediterranean food that looked delicious.”
“It would be nice to have a break for a change.”
“Great. It’s a date,” Foster said. “Your next customer is ready.” He pointed towards her table, where a pair of giggling teens waited.
A date. Foster didn’t mean that the lunch break was an actual date. Or did he?